Take stock of the impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the environment.

Identify areas for further analysis of the application and use of ICTs to further environmental goals.

Identify opportunities and best practices in the use of ICTs, the Internet and sensor networks in environmental management, energy efficiency, cleaner technologies and improved resource management.

Consider policy implications and the development of goals and priorities in efficient buildings, transport and distribution systems that harness the potential of ICT-based systems and sensor networks.

Contribute to preparation of the OECD Seoul Ministerial on the Internet Economy, the Hokkaido G8 meeting, and the planned OECD conference in 2009 and the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2009.

This session focussed on a general overview of the impacts of ICTs on meeting environmental challenges.

Questions addressed included:

To what extent can ICTs reduce energy intensity in energy-intensive activities?

What are the overall magnitudes of the impacts of ICTs on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency?

What are the impacts of digitalisation and digital delivery on environmental performance?

What are the environmental impacts of expanded use of ICTs in work and social organisation? How have ICTs affected transport and logistics patterns and what is the potential for further improvements?

How large is the “rebound effect”, where improvements in efficiency and environmental performance lead to greater use (e.g. improved energy efficiency in transport lowers costs, encourages greater use, and does not achieve energy savings and emission reductions)?

Chair: Marie Munk, National IT and Telecom Agency, Denmark

A framework for modelling ICT and environmental challenges using future scenarios

This session focussed on more detailed applications and areas of “low-hanging fruit" in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in buildings, lighting, heating and cooling applications, transport, and standby losses and where applicable control systems in the energy generation and distribution network.

This session focussed on the ICT-producing sector and examine efforts to increase energy efficiency and improve environmental performance through better life-cycle audits of products and production processes, including reducing waste generation, the use of hazardous substances and recycling.

Chair: Mark Carvell, Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, United Kingdom

Environmental impact of ICT: A conceptual framework and some strategic recommendations

This session drew out issues for further analysis and examine policy implications. The underlying approach is that it is important to focus on areas where ICT applications have the greatest positive environmental impacts, for example improving energy efficiency in buildings, lighting, heating and cooling, transport applications, and reducing standby losses. Setting new goals for further improving the environmental performance of the ICT industry would be another key area. The aim would be to explore what policies could promote the development and increased use of ICTs for environmental sustainability and what new areas of work are necessary to underpin policy development.